Violent Crime Unit secures another conviction in Montgomery murder

A Montgomery man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a robbery attempt that ended in murder.

Zendarius White, 20, of Montgomery was convicted Wednesday by a Montgomery County jury of the capital murder of Darryl "DJ" Morris, Jr.

White was sentenced to Life Without Parole by Judge William Shashy.

According to Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Gibbs with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, the victim, Darryl Morris Jr., 19, went to meet a friend of his on the night of April 19, 2013 at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Windy Wood drive at the Windy Wood Apartments. They were sitting in the car talking and listening to music. White came up to the car and tried to open the door but it was locked. He pulled out a gun and told Morris 'Don't move or I'll shoot,' Gibbs said.

Morris tried to drive off and White shot into the car and killed him.

When the car came to a stop, the other person in the car got to a nearby store and called the police.

"It was a senseless killing. I really don't have an explanation as to why it happened or motive as to why it happened, just needless killing," Gibbs said. "His family members have a sense of relief today, sense that justice was served. They can, as best they can, put this behind them and move on with their lives knowing that killed their loved one has been sentenced and will spend the rest of his life in prison. So they've got some closure now and they can move on."

The jury delivered the verdict Wednesday afternoon. For the Violent Crime Unit with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, it was the second capital murder conviction in the past three weeks.

The unit is comprised of several deputy district attorneys and a dedicated investigator. Its formation late last year was the result of the 50 homicides in 2013. They help investigate and prosecute homicides and high profile robberies.

"A message has to be sent to these young people in the community. This is another young person who will spend the rest of his life in prison for a stupid act and we're not going to tolerate it anymore. There has to be a message that these violent criminals have to stop or they'll be taken off the street for good. It's sad. You have one young person dead and another who will spend the rest of his life in prison," said Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey.